BOSTON, Mass. - A Dorchester man has been arrested and charged for his alleged role in an arson fire the morning of August 9, 2010 in Roslindale.

U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Eugenio A. Marquez, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Boston Field Office; Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis; and the Boston Fire Commissioner Roderick Fraser announcedthat JOSE BAEZ, age 38, of Dorchester, was arrested early morning on August 9th and charged in U.S. District Court in a criminal complaint with arson of property.

At approximately 3:45 a.m. the morning of August 9th, the Boston Fire Department reported a fire at a residence located at 11 Firth Road in Roslindale.

According to the criminal complaint, BAEZ was a suspect in a series of arson fires in the City of Boston since October 2008, and a Global Positioning System (“GPS”) had been attached to his vehicle. At 3:21 a.m. this morning, the GPS notified law enforcement that BAEZ’s vehicle had left his residence and was stationary on Bexley Road in Roslindale for approximately 15 minutes and then moved to 140 Columbia Road where it remained parked. Bexley Road runs parallel with Firth Road and is a short distance away. According to the complaint, officers approached BAEZ who exited the vehicle and officers immediately noticed a strong odor consistent with that of gasoline, and BAEZ was subsequently arrested.

United States Attorney Carmen Ortiz said, “The alleged conduct by Mr. Baez not only caused property damage, it could have cost lives. I want to commend the unprecedented coordination and cooperation between the investigators that brought this case to fruition.”

“Violent crime has many faces and arson is certainly one of them,” stated Eugenio Marquez, Acting Special Agent In Charge of ATF’s Boston Field Division. “As the federal agency charged with investigating fires and crimes of arson, ATF remains committed to working with our law enforcement and fire investigation partners to bring to justice those who commit these violent acts.”

"This particular arrest was a result of a determined effort over a very long period of time. I commend our Fire Investigation Unit for their professionalism and dedication to getting the job done,” stated Boston Fire Commissioner Roderick Fraser.

Commissioner Davis said, “The arrest of Jose Baez is significant in both the level of devastation his alleged activity has caused to a community and the level of law enforcement cooperation demonstrated leading to his apprehension. As law enforcement partners, we will continue to collectively work towards our mutual goal of a successful prosecution to keep this dangerous individual out of the community. I commend the remarkable coordination among the Boston Police, Boston Fire Department, ATF, and the US Attorney’s Office.”

If convicted, BAEZ faces up to 40 years imprisonment, to be followed by three years ofsupervised release and a $250,000 fine.

The case was investigated by the Boston Fire Department, the Boston Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Tobin of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.